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skill rating
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Betula pendula (Silver birch)
1 hour care
per year
per year
15m
Max height
Max height
12m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Betula pendula
Other names
Silver birch, Weeping birch, Lady of the woods, European white birch, Lady birch, Betula verrucosa, Bed wen, Warty birch, Birk tree, Common birch, Betula alba, Betula alba var. pendula
Genus
Betula Betula
Species
B. pendula - B. pendula is a vigorous, narrowly conical, deciduous tree with white, peeling bark, cracked and black at the base with age. Slender, drooping stems bear ovate to diamond-shaped, toothed, mid-green leaves and yellow-brown flower catkins in spring.
Betula pendula is: Deciduous
Tree shape
Narrowly conical, Open branched
Flower
Yellow-brown in Spring
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Yellow in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Leaf-mining sawflies , Sawflies Aphids , Leaf-mining sawflies , Sawflies
Leaf spot , Birch rust Leaf spot , Birch rust
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1.
Propagation methods
Grafting, Softwood cuttings, Seed
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Where to grow
Betula pendula (Silver birch) will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 12m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Woodland, Low Maintenance, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grows a wide range of conditions and soil types.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Betula pendula
Other names
Silver birch, Weeping birch, Lady of the woods, European white birch, Lady birch, Betula verrucosa, Bed wen, Warty birch, Birk tree, Common birch, Betula alba, Betula alba var. pendula
Genus
Betula Betula
Species
B. pendula - B. pendula is a vigorous, narrowly conical, deciduous tree with white, peeling bark, cracked and black at the base with age. Slender, drooping stems bear ovate to diamond-shaped, toothed, mid-green leaves and yellow-brown flower catkins in spring.
Foliage
Deciduous
Tree shape
Narrowly conical, Open branched
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Colour
Flower
Yellow-brown in Spring
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Yellow in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Leaf-mining sawflies , Sawflies
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1.
Propagation methods
Grafting, Softwood cuttings, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Betula pendula (Silver birch) will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 12m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Woodland, Low Maintenance, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grows a wide range of conditions and soil types.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
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| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
silver birch betula pendula
This plant is featured at Chelsea Flower Show 2009
Betula pendula
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